Latest news with #Slater
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Aaron Woods continues war of words with Billy Slater with subtle dig
Former NRL player Aaron Woods has continued his war of words with Queensland Maroons coach, Billy Slater. The former NSW Blue was commenting on Slater's two shock selections for the series decider in Sydney when he couldn't resist having a cheeky dig. Veteran prop Josh Papali'i and debutant Gehamat Shibasaki were the topic of conversation, with Woods critical of Queensland's 'pick and stick mentality'. Woods took a line from Slater about being a 'privilege' to work in the media when delivering his comments. 'That takes me to my good mate Billy Slater on the Queensland side,' he said. 'I've got to remember it is a privilege, and we've got a responsibility being behind this microphone. 'So, when I talk, a lot of people do listen… but, yeah, there's a bit happening with the Queensland side. 'He got rid of Mo Fotuaikai, who I thought did a great job in Perth, and they didn't pick and stick there. 'So it's a funny one for a decider. It must mean he feels a bit of pressure up front… lacking a bit of intimidation. 'I'm a big fan of Papa (Papali'i), but it just shows you when you win, it's not always comfortable.' These cautious yet analytical comments follow Slater's personal dig at Woods on the eve of Origin II. Slater highlighted the relentless media pressure put on him by people like Woods, making mention of late Maroons coach Paul Green as someone who may not have taken it so well. Something he later apologised for. Not stopping at just a back and forth between the two, former Melbourne Storm teammate of Slater and representative teammate of Woods, Ryan Hoffman chimed in just over a week ago taking offence to the latter's comments. 'Woods crossed the line,' Hoffman said. 'If he wanted to come out and make a point about Billy Slater's tactics, about Slater's selections, that is fair enough. 'But to just purposely call someone a grub, purposely degrade someone like that… to say that for the benefit of providing spice for Origin, that is rubbish. 'Aaron Woods was a coward for standing behind a microphone and throwing that out there. Billy Slater showed courage going out there on a microphone and talking about responsibility.'
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Hammer's time: Why Slater picked Dolphin over Walsh
Billy Slater bided his time before making the Queensland No.1 jersey his own and the Maroons coach says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's time is now. The Dolphins flyer edged out Brisbane star and new Maroons 18th man Reece Walsh for the coveted starting fullback position in the wake of injury to Kalyn Ponga. Next Wednesday night's State of Origin decider in Sydney will be Tabuai-Fidow's first as a starting No.1 for the Maroons after playing mostly centre in his previous nine outings. Slater, who started his Origin career on the wing, said the 23-year-old speedster known as "Hammer" deserved his jersey. He has been in stellar form for the Broncos in his three matches since returning from a knee injury but Slater said he made the call on what was "the right fit for the footy team right now". "Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. He has played centre for us and played on the wing for us," Slater said. "It's not so much about the temptation (to pick Walsh), it's about what feel is right for the footy team. "I know it's a great discussion and people will be talking about it. I don't think you can make a wrong decision there. "Reece is a great player, there is no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he is doing. It is a great luxury to have them both in camp." Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 14 games this season with a four-try effort his latest in a 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday. He arrived in camp on Monday on the Sunshine Coast buoyed by his selection and keen to apply Slater-like habits in his game. "It is just his work off the ball. His defence was pretty good and his work ethic as well. I want to put that into my game and make my game better," Tabuai-Fidow said. "He was one of the greatest fullbacks so to learn off him and pick his brain is going to be good. "It's pretty surreal. Just knowing I have the No.1 on my back is a special feeling and I am excited. "When (Slater) rang me and said I would be in the squad at fullback I was over the moon." Walsh won't play unless activated but the Maroons know only too well that is more than a real possibility. Last year in game one Walsh was illegally taken out, forcing a reshuffle and the use of 18th man Felise Kaufusi. The Broncos whiz can also play in the halves, making him an ideal 18th man. "That's what you have to look at for that 18th man spot, what if this happens or that happens. You need to be able to cover as many spots as possible," Slater said. The coach also made it clear he had no lingering doubts over Walsh's knee injury, ruling that out as a reason why Tabuai-Fidow was preferred. "Reece wouldn't be here if he was injured. He is in a great spot," he said. "I've had that injury, I know how it is and how it feels. It was a purely a decision around who is best for the position at the time." Billy Slater bided his time before making the Queensland No.1 jersey his own and the Maroons coach says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's time is now. The Dolphins flyer edged out Brisbane star and new Maroons 18th man Reece Walsh for the coveted starting fullback position in the wake of injury to Kalyn Ponga. Next Wednesday night's State of Origin decider in Sydney will be Tabuai-Fidow's first as a starting No.1 for the Maroons after playing mostly centre in his previous nine outings. Slater, who started his Origin career on the wing, said the 23-year-old speedster known as "Hammer" deserved his jersey. He has been in stellar form for the Broncos in his three matches since returning from a knee injury but Slater said he made the call on what was "the right fit for the footy team right now". "Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. He has played centre for us and played on the wing for us," Slater said. "It's not so much about the temptation (to pick Walsh), it's about what feel is right for the footy team. "I know it's a great discussion and people will be talking about it. I don't think you can make a wrong decision there. "Reece is a great player, there is no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he is doing. It is a great luxury to have them both in camp." Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 14 games this season with a four-try effort his latest in a 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday. He arrived in camp on Monday on the Sunshine Coast buoyed by his selection and keen to apply Slater-like habits in his game. "It is just his work off the ball. His defence was pretty good and his work ethic as well. I want to put that into my game and make my game better," Tabuai-Fidow said. "He was one of the greatest fullbacks so to learn off him and pick his brain is going to be good. "It's pretty surreal. Just knowing I have the No.1 on my back is a special feeling and I am excited. "When (Slater) rang me and said I would be in the squad at fullback I was over the moon." Walsh won't play unless activated but the Maroons know only too well that is more than a real possibility. Last year in game one Walsh was illegally taken out, forcing a reshuffle and the use of 18th man Felise Kaufusi. The Broncos whiz can also play in the halves, making him an ideal 18th man. "That's what you have to look at for that 18th man spot, what if this happens or that happens. You need to be able to cover as many spots as possible," Slater said. The coach also made it clear he had no lingering doubts over Walsh's knee injury, ruling that out as a reason why Tabuai-Fidow was preferred. "Reece wouldn't be here if he was injured. He is in a great spot," he said. "I've had that injury, I know how it is and how it feels. It was a purely a decision around who is best for the position at the time." Billy Slater bided his time before making the Queensland No.1 jersey his own and the Maroons coach says Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's time is now. The Dolphins flyer edged out Brisbane star and new Maroons 18th man Reece Walsh for the coveted starting fullback position in the wake of injury to Kalyn Ponga. Next Wednesday night's State of Origin decider in Sydney will be Tabuai-Fidow's first as a starting No.1 for the Maroons after playing mostly centre in his previous nine outings. Slater, who started his Origin career on the wing, said the 23-year-old speedster known as "Hammer" deserved his jersey. He has been in stellar form for the Broncos in his three matches since returning from a knee injury but Slater said he made the call on what was "the right fit for the footy team right now". "Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. He has played centre for us and played on the wing for us," Slater said. "It's not so much about the temptation (to pick Walsh), it's about what feel is right for the footy team. "I know it's a great discussion and people will be talking about it. I don't think you can make a wrong decision there. "Reece is a great player, there is no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he is doing. It is a great luxury to have them both in camp." Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in 14 games this season with a four-try effort his latest in a 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday. He arrived in camp on Monday on the Sunshine Coast buoyed by his selection and keen to apply Slater-like habits in his game. "It is just his work off the ball. His defence was pretty good and his work ethic as well. I want to put that into my game and make my game better," Tabuai-Fidow said. "He was one of the greatest fullbacks so to learn off him and pick his brain is going to be good. "It's pretty surreal. Just knowing I have the No.1 on my back is a special feeling and I am excited. "When (Slater) rang me and said I would be in the squad at fullback I was over the moon." Walsh won't play unless activated but the Maroons know only too well that is more than a real possibility. Last year in game one Walsh was illegally taken out, forcing a reshuffle and the use of 18th man Felise Kaufusi. The Broncos whiz can also play in the halves, making him an ideal 18th man. "That's what you have to look at for that 18th man spot, what if this happens or that happens. You need to be able to cover as many spots as possible," Slater said. The coach also made it clear he had no lingering doubts over Walsh's knee injury, ruling that out as a reason why Tabuai-Fidow was preferred. "Reece wouldn't be here if he was injured. He is in a great spot," he said. "I've had that injury, I know how it is and how it feels. It was a purely a decision around who is best for the position at the time."
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Maroons winners and losers: Slater reveals motives behind shock selections
Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has confirmed lingering injury concerns for Reece Walsh had nothing to do with his omission in favour of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, declaring 'he wouldn't be here if he was injured'. Walsh was considered the heavy favourite to replace Kalyn Ponga in the state's No.1 jumper, after the incumbent fullback suffered a Lisfranc injury, but has instead been named as 18th man. The Broncos' marquee man only returned from a knee issue earlier this month, but his form has inspired three-straight Brisbane wins – scoring twice, while coming up with four try-assists, five line-break assists and 11 tackle busts. While Walsh has been targeted heavily in his five Queensland appearances, Maroons forward Pat Carrigan declared on Saturday the Brisbane star was 'more than ready to go'. However, Slater was adamant Walsh's fitness had nothing to do with his selection, and it was Tabuai-Fidow's form - fresh off scoring four tries against South Sydney - that won the race. Loading 'Reece is in a great spot, I've had that injury and I know what it is and how it feels, but it was purely a decision over who we thought was best for the position at this time,' Slater said. 'There's no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he's doing, so it's a great luxury to have both of them in camp. 'Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. It's not so much about temptation, it's about what feel you get that is the right decision for the footy team.'
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Maroons winners and losers: Slater reveals motives behind shock selections
Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has confirmed lingering injury concerns for Reece Walsh had nothing to do with his omission in favour of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, declaring 'he wouldn't be here if he was injured'. Walsh was considered the heavy favourite to replace Kalyn Ponga in the state's No.1 jumper, after the incumbent fullback suffered a Lisfranc injury, but has instead been named as 18th man. The Broncos' marquee man only returned from a knee issue earlier this month, but his form has inspired three-straight Brisbane wins – scoring twice, while coming up with four try-assists, five line-break assists and 11 tackle busts. While Walsh has been targeted heavily in his five Queensland appearances, Maroons forward Pat Carrigan declared on Saturday the Brisbane star was 'more than ready to go'. However, Slater was adamant Walsh's fitness had nothing to do with his selection, and it was Tabuai-Fidow's form - fresh off scoring four tries against South Sydney - that won the race. Loading 'Reece is in a great spot, I've had that injury and I know what it is and how it feels, but it was purely a decision over who we thought was best for the position at this time,' Slater said. 'There's no one more proud than me seeing Reece back on the field doing what he's doing, so it's a great luxury to have both of them in camp. 'Hammer deserves his opportunity to play in the No.1 jersey. It's not so much about temptation, it's about what feel you get that is the right decision for the footy team.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
‘Inspirational': Slater's selection bombshells
Queensland coach Billy Slater lauded Gehamat Shibasaki's rise as 'exceptional' after producing one of the greatest selection shocks in State of Origin history by picking the Broncos centre to make his Maroons debut in next week's decider at Accor Stadium. The selection stunner comes on the back of the Queensland coach recalling Raiders legend Josh Papalii two years after the veteran prop forward retired from the Origin arena, with a phone call to the Canberra star confirming in Slater's mind that he'd made the right decision. Papalii replaces Moeaki Fotuaika in the front row and will provide power and aggression in a winner-takes-all contest in Sydney, but it's the Shibasaki selection that no one saw coming. Slater bypassed Broncos fullback Reece Walsh, but made him 18th man, meaning he'll miss Friday's blockbuster clash with the Bulldogs. Josh Papalii hasn't played Origin since the 2022 series. Nigel Hallett Credit: News Corp Australia 'It's probably something that I've had in the back of my mind for a couple of years now, in particular this year with the way that big Papa has been playing for Canberra,' Slater said. 'I thought that this team could benefit from a bit of Josh Papalii. I was a little unsure of the response I'd get, but I spoke to Papa a couple of days ago and the response was pretty much where my head was at, which was fantastic. 'It just shows you that he's still got that fire to play for this footy team, he's got that fire to represent the people of Queensland and he's got that fire to go out and do a good job for his state.' Slater started the series by picking Robert Toia after just 10 appearances for the Roosters, and he's now put his faith in Shibasaki, whose NRL career looked set to fizzle out after playing for four clubs in six seasons. He only scored six tries in those six years and even spent time in Japanese rugby, but a return to Brisbane has revived his career, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the only player in the NRL to score more than his 12 tries. He'll now mark Stephen Crichton, who is regarded as the best centre in the world, with Valentine Holmes to play left wing. Tabuai-Fidow shifts to fullback to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga. 'Gehamat's story is an inspiration,' Slater said. 'Only six months ago he was on a train-and-trial contract at the Broncos playing Queensland Cup up in Townsville. 'I just think that the rise of his game over the last six months has been exceptional. 'I told him last night that you need two things to play for Queensland. The first one is you need to be capable and to have the habits in your game that are at the standard of this footy team. 'And the second one is you need the opportunity to be put in front of you. Those two things presented themselves over the weekend, and now Gehamat Shibasaki is going to play his first game for Queensland.' Ponga will miss the decider after suffering a foot injury playing for Newcastle last week, with Slater not naming Walsh at fullback despite him being impressive since returning from his own knee issue that kept him out of the first two Origin matches. Walsh is 18th man as the Maroons look to steal the series after losing at home and then bouncing back to stun NSW in Perth. 'I just think it's the right fit for the footy team right now,' Slater explained. 'I think he's in a great stage of his career. 'Reece is a great player and there's no one prouder than me to see Reece back on the field and doing what he's doing. 'It's a great luxury to have them both in camp and I'm looking forward to having a week with Reece again. 'I don't think you can make a wrong decision there, but I just think it's the best fit for the footy team, and 'Hammer' deserves his opportunity to play in the one jersey for us.' Queensland Maroons: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Gehamat Shibasaki, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Josh Papalii, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Pat Carrigan, Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Walsh, J'maine Hopgood, Josh Kerr
